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Tasveer Film Fund opens applications for 7th edition
The grant and mentorship program will support four short film projects with $35,000 each.
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Malvika Choudhary - Fri, 10, Jul 2026
- 18:20 EDT
- 42
Tasveer Film Fund / Netflix
Applications are now being accepted for the seventh edition of the Tasveer Film Fund, a mentorship and grant program that assists North American filmmakers in developing narratives with backgrounds in South Asian cinema.
Launched in 2020, the Tasveer Film Fund was established to address limited funding, mentorship, and industry access for mid-level filmmakers developing South Asian stories.
Also Read: Tasveer Film Fund returns to champion untold South Asian stories
The program expanded in 2021 through a partnership with Netflix and has since evolved from a single-grant initiative into a multi-project funding platform supporting original short films and emerging creative talent.
Since its inception, the fund has backed 19 filmmakers and projects with production grants, mentorship, and professional development opportunities aimed at helping filmmakers complete projects and strengthen their portfolios for future industry opportunities.
As part of the program, selected finalists participate in a live competitive pitch forum, presenting their projects before a panel of industry professionals. The initiative is intended to help filmmakers refine their projects, improve production readiness, and build connections with producers, executives, distributors, and other decision-makers in the entertainment industry.
This year's edition will award four winning projects with $35,000 each in production support, along with mentorship from industry professionals and access to Tasveer's network of creative and business leaders. Completed films will premiere within Tasveer's Oscar-qualifying festival ecosystem, offering participants festival exposure and potential distribution opportunities.
"The program has become a proven launchpad for emerging South Asian voices, with alumni going on to earn festival selections, awards, fellowships, and development deals with major studios and platforms," said Rita Meher, executive director of Tasveer, alongside Uzma Khan and Anushree Shukla, co-film fund managers. "Several alumni return as mentors and jurors, helping strengthen the ecosystem that supports the next generation of storytellers."
Tasveer said interest in the program has continued to rise, with applications increasing 67 percent between 2024 and 2025, reflecting growing demand for platforms that promote authentic South Asian storytelling and create pathways into the film industry.
Applications for the seventh edition are now open through FilmFreeway.
Founded in 2002, Seattle-based nonprofit Tasveer is dedicated to advancing social change through South Asian films and storytelling. The organization operates North America's only Oscar-qualifying South Asian film festival and launched the Tasveer Film Market in 2023 to connect South Asian storytellers with producers, distributors, financiers, and other industry professionals.
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